The next generation tactical transport must achieve greater performance than its predecessors, with even more demanding missions and operational requirements, at an affordable price. New mobility concepts have emerged with more radical configurations for potential operational performance benefits. The challenge of this proposed SBIR program is to combine advanced materials and process technologies with advanced innovative design concepts, to achieve a more affordable and lightweight deep section wing for next generation transport aircraft applications. An innovative structural wing design will be developed using HyPerVARTM®/AFI manufacturing technology for integrated resin infused structures. Several innovative structural concepts have been evaluated that leverage 3-D performing technology and advancements in design and manufacturing of these structures to achieve lower costs with greater structural efficiency. The Phase I program demonstrated the feasibility of this technology approach through engineering trade studies, development of a wing box design with 25% weight reduction and 35% cost reduction, and virtual and physical manufacturing process demonstration on a subcomponent. This Phase II program will build on Phase I concepts with the design, fabrication and testing of prototype wing box section that will verify analysis predictions, and evaluate resin infused integrated structure capability for primary structural applications. BENEFIT
Keywords: Transport Wing, Nonorthogonal Structures, Truss Structures, Metallic Structures, Composite Structures
